Bridle strap for piano actions



Feb. 26, 19291 1,703,298

H. E. CHUTE BRIDLE' STRAP FOR PIANO ACTIONS Filed March 1926 Patented Feb. 26, 1929.

UNITED STATES HIRAM E. CI IUTE, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

BRIDLE STRAP FOR PIANO AG'BIONS.

Application filed March 6, 1926.

My invention relates to bridle straps for piano actions and has for its purpose the provision of a bridle strap which, in addition to possessing the desirable characteristics of structural simplicity and durability, is capable of being quickly and securely applied and without the necessity of providing an opening in the catcher and looping the bridle on the catcher through the opening, as is required with bridle straps as heretofore proposed.

It is also a purpose of my invention to provide a bridle strap which embodies in combination with a tape a clip adapted to embrace the catcher head and its shank with such security as to prevent its accidental disengagement therefrom, yet permitting the ready removal therefrom when necessary.

I will describe only one form of bridle strap embodying my invention and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a view showing in side elevation a part of a piano action having applied thereto one form of bridle strap embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail plan view of the bridle strap shown in the preceding views.

Referring specifical] y to the drawings, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the views, my invention is applicable to any conventional piano action, and in Figure 1 I have illustrated and will refer to only those parts of the piano action necessary to a clear understanding of the use of my bridle strap. As here shown, a hammer butt carries a catcher including a head 16 and a shank 17. Extending upwardly from a wippen 18 is a back stop 19, and below and at one side of the back stop is the usual bridle wire 20.

The bridle strap comprising my invention is made up of a single length of tape 21, one end of which is secured to a tab 22 formed of leather or other suitable material and provided with an opening 23. Secured to the opposite end of the tape is a looped tab 24 designed to connect the tape to a clip in such manner that the clip is capable of pivotal movement.

Serial No. 92,908.

The clip made up of a single length of resilient w bent between its ends to provide an intermediate portion 25 which extends through the looped tab 24:. Extending from the opposite ends oi this intermedi; 4 .on are a pair ot' arms 26 which ed in converging relation, as clearly shown in Fi "e and which have their tree bent tnvard each other and inwardly to ltn'ovide intersecting extensions 27.

To apply the bridle strap to the piano action, t tab 22 is placed on the bridle wire so th t the pointed end of the latter engages w." n the opening 23, while the clip is slipped over the catcher head 16 to the position shown in Figure 1. To apply the clip, the arms 26 are slightly expanded to permit the insertion of the upper end of the catcher head between the arms, whereupon the intermediate portion 25 of the clip may be moved downwardly over the padded side of the catcher head. \Vhen the portion 25 reaches the curved portion of the catcher head, indicated at 16 it is necessary to grip the tab 24 and actually force the portion 25 downwardly over the curved portion until it seats in the crotch, as shown in Figure 1. As the intermediate portion 25 moves downwardly over the curved portion 16, the extensions 27 are flexed upwardly in engaging the shank 17 in attempting to resist the down pull exerted on the clip. However, when the portion 25 reaches the crotch in the catcher head the distance between the GXlTGllrwlUllH 27 and the portion 25 having been reduced, the extensions return to their normal position thereby locking the entire clip in the position shown in Figure 1.

In this manner, the tape is securely attached to the catcher to provide the rieces sary operative connection between the catcher and the bridle wire, and it will be understood that when necessary the clip can be readily removed from the catcher by exerting the necessary upward pull upon the intermediate portion 25 until it passes above the rounded portion 16.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of bridle strap for piano actions embodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention 

